THE TOWN: Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia, and with a population of about 450,000, the country’s largest city. It is located in southwestern Slovakia, occupying both banks of the River Danube and the left bank of the River Morava. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries. The history of the city has been strongly influenced by people of different nations and religions, namely by Austrians, Croats, Czechs, Germans, Hungarians, Jews, Serbs and Slovaks (in alphabetical order).The city was the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary, a part of the larger Habsburg Monarchy territories, from 1536 to 1783.

Lonely Planet on Bratislava: “Proximity to nature gives Slovakia’s capital its strongest flavouring. The Danube wends through the city, and cycle paths weave through the verdant flood plain that begins just outside the centre. Meanwhile, the densely forested Small Carpathians are just a 30-minute walk from the train station; the trailer to a mountainous extent that runs countrywide, virtually unimpeded by civilisation. Thenthere’s ski runs and vineyards to amble through.The charming – if tiny – old town (starý mesto) is the place to start appreciating Bratislava. Stroll narrow pedestrian streets of pastel-coloured 18th-century buildings or sample the myriad sidewalk cafes under the watchful gaze of the city castle, which harks back to medieval times. Done with the old? In with the new(er): the city boasts intriguing socialist-era architecture, and one of Eastern Europe’s most spectacular modern art spaces. Contrasts like this are all part of Bratislava’s allure.”

TOP 3 ATTRACTIONS:

Old Town

Devin Castle Ruins

Slavin Memorial

BEST 3 HOTELS TO STAY:Hotel Blue Bratislava. Close to Polus City Shopping Center and just 3,5 km from old town, this modern *** hotel offers free wifi, parking and tasteful breakfast buffet. Prices for a 22 mq2 double room in b&b starts from 59€ per night. Rated 8.5 on Booking.

Skaritz Hotel & Residence. Wonderful **** hotel located in the heart of Bratislava’s pedestrianized Old Town. This accomodation, rated 8.9 on Booking, offers large rooms and apartments, free internet and free access to the sauna. The price for a 35mq2 double room is 83€ per night with breakfast and free cancellation included.

Arcadia Hotel. Fantastic boutique ***** hotel, rated 9.1 on Booking, which rises in a 13th century building loated in Old Town at just 100 mt from St.Michael’s Gate. It includes a spa, a slovak restaurant and a stylish Library Bar. A standard non refundable double room costs 89€ per night with free Spa access and wifi but with breakfast not included.
USEFUL LINKS:

The venue: Hollyburn Country Club is one of North America’s premier tennis, fitness and social clubs. Situated mountainside, overlooking downtown Vancouver, the Country Club sits on 42 acres of West Vancouver’s renowned British Properties. Over the past 5 years Hollyburn has completed over $20 million dollars of improvements, making this country club’s facilities unrivalled and award winning. It is located at only 20 minutes from Vancouver’s downtown core.

THE TOWN: Vancouver is a coastal seaport city in Canada, located in the region of British Columbia. As the most populous city in the province, the 2016 census recorded 631,486 people in the city, recording the highest population density in Canada with over 5,400 people per square kilometre. It is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in Canada; infact 52% of its residents have a first language other than English. Vancouver is consistently named as one of the top five worldwide cities for livability and quality of life.

Lonely Planet‘s writer John Lee on Vancouver: “Eagles whirling overhead, sunset-framed beaches, and the unfurling ocean and mountain diorama from Stanley Park’s breathtaking seawall. Although I moved here in the 1990s, I’ve never stopped gaping at Vancouver’s natural charms. For me, it’s this astonishing backdrop that sets the glass-towered metropolis apart. But I’m a city boy at heart and I’m also delighted that Vancouver is continuing to develop as it grows up. From amazing dining to a thriving art scene, this young West Coast city keeps moving forward – and I don’t just mean the gratifying excellent craft-beer scene (although, personally, that really helps).”

TOP 3 ATTRACTIONS:

Stanley Park

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Seawall

BEST PLACES TO STAY:

GEC Granville Suites Downtown. Located in the Granville Entertainment District in downtown Vancouver, *** GEC Granville Suites is only 8 minutes from the beach. Available for guests the free WiFi connection, an onsite restaurant which serves American cuisine, a rooftop deck and a sauna. The contemporary suites feature a flat-screen TV, a seating area and a safe. Rates for a 27 mq2 queen room start from 486 CAD for night.

The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Located in Vancouver city centre and rated 8.6 on Booking, this **** hotel offers an on-site restaurant and bar, a spa and health club open 24/7, an indoor swimming pool and a business center. A flat-screen cable TV, coffee machine, minibar and city view are offered in most of the modern rooms. Prices start from 579 CAD for night (Wifi, parking and breakfast available with additional charges).

Fairmont Pacific Rim. Rated 9.4 on Booking, this exceptional 5 stars hotel features a full-service spa, A rooftop pool with fire pits and a hot tub along with a 4,000 square-foot gym. The Lobby Lounge serves small appetizers and cocktails. In-room dining is also available. It is located at 5-minute walk from the Canada Place, home to Vancouver’s Convention and Exhibition Center. Fairmont Pacific Rim offers rooms with flat-screen TVs, pay-per-view movies and laptop connectivity. Also included are an iPod docking station, an iPad2, an in-room safe and a coffee maker. A deluxe Room with partial harbour view costs 569.25 CAD per night.

THE TOWN: Koblenz is a city in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in the Federal Republic of Germany. It has about 110,000 inhabitants; the surrounding area accounts for about 400,000 people in total. Lonely Planet writes on it:”At the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers and the convergence of three low mountain ranges – the Hunsrück, the Eifel and the Westerwald – Koblenz’ roots go all the way back to the Romans, who founded a military stronghold here (calling it Confluentes) because of the site’s supreme strategic value.

Today, this park- and flower-filled city is the northern gateway to the Romantic Rhine and the bottomof the Moselle Valley, making it an ideal gateway for exploring the region.”

TOP 3 ATTRACTIONS IN KOBLENZ:

Seilbahn Koblenz

The German Corner

Schloss Stolzenfels

BEST PLACES TO STAY:

Hotel Brenner. Excellent *** hotel situated in the heart of Koblenz’s Old Town, this accomodation has been rated 8.7 on Booking. A 22 mq2 comfy double room costs 90$ per night with free wifi and parking included in the price.

CONTEL Hotel Koblenz. Fantastic *** hotel located directly on the Moselle river at just 15 mt walking from Old Town and which offers 21 mq2 double rooms from 131$ per night with free wifi and parking. Very good onsite restaurant.

Mercure Hotel Koblenz. Modern **** hotel which stands next to the Rhein-Mosel-Halle convention center and the Kurfürstliches Schloss castle, on the Rhine River. It includes a 24-hour gym with sauna, a riverside terrace, and a free underground parking. It offers standard double rooms (25 mq2) from 158$ to 204$ per night. With the highest price breakfast and free cancellation are included.